Lakers vs Blackhawks Tale of The Tape

With the World Cup going on and the US Open finishing up today, let's take a brief look at the end of the NBA & NHL Playoffs by comparing the two champions - the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Blackhawks, and see how they stack up with each other to see who is the supreme summer champ. Both teams had great seasons, but which one is the best of the best? Let's find out in the tale of the tape!

City

Lakers - Los Angeles

Blackhawks - Chicago

Edge: Blackhawks, hey, I'm a midwestern guy

Jersey

Lakers -

Blackhawks -

Edge: Blackhawks, hockey sweaters are just better

Mascot

Lakers - Umm... Jack Nicholson?

Blackhawks - Tommy Hawk

Edge: Blackhawks, Tommy Hawk is much less cartoonish

Last Previous Title

Lakers - 2009

Blackhawks - 1961

Edge: Lakers, they won 10 titles in between 1961 and 2009!

Iconic Player

Lakers - Magic Johnson

Blackhawks - Bobby Hull

Edge: Blackhawks, based solely on The Magic Show

Leader/MVP

Lakers - Kobe Bryant

Blackhawks - Jonathan Toews

Edge: Lakers, even though Kobe went 6-24 in Game 7 and Toews has the muttonchop edge

Unlikely Hero

Lakers - Ron Artest

Blackhawks - Dustin Byfuglein

Edge: Lakers, both made huge shots/goals throughout the playoffs, but Artest gets the edge for the most memorable postgame interview in recent memory...

Coach

Lakers - Phil Jackson

Blackhawks - Joel Quenneville

Edge: Lakers, although Quenneville has aged better

Defining Moment

Lakers - Ron Artest Clinching 3 in Game 7

Blackhawks - Patrick Kane OT Goal in Game 6

Edge: Blackhawks, on the most awkward title winning moment ever

Fans

Lakers - Jack & Hollywood

Blackhawks - Bill Murray & ... Jim Belushi?

Edge: Lakers, but at least the Chicago crowd doesn't need a billion dollar escrow account for botched plastic surgeries

Song

Lakers - I Love LA

Blackhawks - Chelsea Dagger

Edge: Blackhawks, da da da da da da da da da da da da da

Dynastybility

Lakers - 2 in a row, 3 straight Finals appearances

Blackhawks - 1 in a row, best young roster in NHL

Edge: Lakers, especially once LeBron James signs with them for the veteran minimum

Trophy

Lakers - Larry O'Brien Trophy

Blackhawks - Stanley Cup

Edge: Blackhawks, I bet you didn't even know the Finals trophy had a name!

In the words of the great Nick Bakay, when you break things down scientifically, the advantage goes to... the Blackhawks with a 7-6 victory in this best of 13 championship showdown. We'll be back tomorrow morning with our continuing World Cup thoughts, bye for now!

Celtics vs Lakers Game 7 Preview

It's the two most magical words in sport - Game 7. And, when it involves the Celtics and the Lakers, it makes it that much more special. You can bet that Bird and Magic will be watching tonight. Tonight is the night that a champion will be crowned after a classic back and forth series. It seems like so long since we had a decisive Game 7 in the NBA Finals that was actually compelling (and no, I'm not counting the '05 Pistons v Spurs thrillorama). In fact, this is only the 3rd Game 7 in the NBA Finals in the last 2 decades. While anything can happen in Game 7, the Lakers have a clear advantage heading into the decisive game, and here's why.

*The Black Mamba

-Having the best player on the court in Game 7 is always a big advantage. And, in Kobe Bryant, the Lakers certainly have the likely series MVP - win or lose. Kobe shared the ball effectively in Game 6, only taking 19 shots and getting 11 rebounds. I wouldn't expect to see bizarro refuse to shoot Kobe that we saw in a Game 7 in Phoenix years ago, or one as passive as Game 6 (even though the team benefitted) - I'd expect the Black Mamba.

*Momentum

-Let's be real - LA mutilated Boston in Game 6. The C's shot 33% in Game 6 after shooting 56% in Game 5. The Lakers played faster than Boston, passed better, and played with more intensity. That's usually a winning combination. Plus, Artest, Gasol, and Odom combined for 40 points and 29 rebounds. With a key injury for the Celtics (more on that in a bit), the Lakers have clear momentum.

*No Perks

-The injury to Kendrick Perkins is key. He's one of the few guys on the Celtics that can provide defense and toughness on the inside. Losing him may improve the team offensively... until you see that Wallace, Davis, and the corpse of Shelden Williams combined for 0, yes 0 POINTS IN GAME 6!! Ouch.

*Home Court

-Finally, the Lakers have homecourt advantage. The crowd in Game 6 was unlike any LA crowd that I've ever heard, and they will come strong again tonight. This won't be your typical LA wanting to be seen by the cameras crowd - this crowd will actually cheer and boo for the entire 48 minutes. In the NBA, homecourt means a lot more than any other sport, that's why it will help the Lakers immensely.

Now, the Celtics do have a few things going for them, but I don't think that those factors match up to the ones above... but I have to cover my bases, don't I?

1) They Got Their Shots In Game 6 - The C's had a series high 84 shots, but they only made 28. They haven't shot below 43% in any other game this series, so maybe their terrible shooting in Game 6 was more of an aberration than a prelude to Game 7.

2) Veteran Leadership - Boston won't panic in this situation. It was one bad game, and yes they lose a big part of their defense... but, Rasheed can give a different dynamic to the starting lineup and will be the only player on the floor that has played in a Finals Game 7. Umm... maybe that's not such of a big advantage.

3) Sense of Urgency/Backs Against The Wall/Underdog Mentality... - This could be the last chance for an aging Big 3. With the blowout loss in Game 6, maybe we'll see some relaxation on the part of LA and a rallying of the troops for Boston. It seems like the predictions change every game, but the pundits are clearly swinging the pendulum back towards LA. While it seems like Paul Pierce has called every game a must-win game so far in these playoffs, this one actually really is! Unless David Stern sees the ratings success and declares the series a best of 17.

4) History -

The Celtics are 4-0 all-time in Game 7 vs the Lakers. It would be something if we saw a replay of 1969 - where Don Nelson's miraculous jumper gave the Celtics and Bill Russell a Game 7 victory in Los Angeles... but, I don't think Bill Russell, Bird, Parrish, and McHale, or even Don Nelson are walking through that door folks.

With all that being said, I'm going with the Lakers and Kobe Bryant winning tonight to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats with his 5th title and the 11th for Phil Jackson. Yuck. I feel slimy writing that. Let's hope the RSS jinx is in full effect and the Celtics get the upset.

The Ball Is Now In Kobe's Court

The 2010 NBA Finals is gradually becoming a classic. While there hasn't been any buzzer beaters or singular games that stick out, these Finals have been so compelling because of the different stories in each game. Whether it's been Boston's eclectic bench, which Ray Allen shows up, the Big 3 fighting Father Time, the Lakers role players, Phil Jackson going for history, or Andrew Bynum's health... these Finals have been one of the most compelling in years. But now, they all evolve around one man.

Kobe Bryant.

This is perhaps the series and the stretch of games that will define Kobe's legacy. Can he approach the Jordan level and carry his team to a 5th title (1 short of MJ), or will he lose his 2nd Finals series and hear the question marks yet again? (Why can't he beat the Celtics? Is he being outplayed by Paul Pierce? How does he feel about those "No Means No" chants?)

After the Celtics win in Game 5, it was painstakingly clear that Kobe was angry at his teammates for letting him down in the crucial swing game. In the 4th quarter, Bryant was seen demonstratively instructing his teammates, being upset at calls, and showing emotion that we usually don't see from such an icy competitor. There was a sense of desperation that I haven't seen before from Bryant.

The pivotal stretch of this series, and perhaps the crystalizing moment in Bryant's career came in the 3rd quarter last night. With the Lakers trailing by 8 entering the 2nd half - Bryant scored the Lakers' first 19 points of the quarter in a 10 minute time period. The stuff of legends, right? During that time though, the Boston lead went from 8 to 13. Even with Kobe going postal, the Lakers weren't succeeding. In scoring 23 straight points for LA from the 2nd quarter through that stretch in the third, the C's increased their lead from 1 to 13. +12 against teeth-clinching Kobe. Kobe was amazing, but his team fell further behind as the Big 3 got it done.

In truth, that's symbolic of the Kobe Bryant Era. He has always wanted to go it alone. To be the man. To be the next Jordan. To win the MVPs, titles, and accolades. LA wasn't big enough for him and Shaq - so now it's Kobe's town, Kobe's team, and Kobe's legacy on the line. In Game 5 he went at it alone - his teammates had only 3 FG attempts during his 3rd quarter run. Kobe has now taken twice as many shots in the series (120 - 24 per game) as his next highest teammate Gasol (60 - 12 per game).

In fairness, last year he had 135 FGA in the 5 game win against Orlando (Gasol again was next highest with 60 again). But, this has a different feel to it. Yes, Kobe got that title on its own - but it was against Orlando! Not the Boston Big 3, not the King, but Stan Van and the Magic! No, this is the series that will define Kobe Bryant. This is the rubber match between Boston and LA to tell us who is the team of the latter half of the decade.

Games 6 & 7 will tell us whether Kobe deserves a place in the basketball pantheon or not. Can he carry his team to a championship against a championship caliber team with his back up against the wall? With Rondo & the Big 3 only needing 1 win in LA to take their 2nd NBA Finals in 3 years, the pressure is on Kobe to deliver in Games 6 & 7. Kobe, the ball is in your court.

5 Reasons the Celtics Might Be in Trouble

Last night's Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in the books, and already, the 2010 version of Lakers/Celtics is shaping up to be quite different than in 2008. L.A. dominated from the 2nd quarter on to coast to a 102-89 victory. So, in this hyperactive 24/7 sports media, does this mean the Celtics are doomed, or is it just a blip on the radar? Sadly for fans of Green 18, it might be the former, instead of the latter...here's why:

(1) Kevin Garnett just isn't Kevin Garnett any more.

-As much as fans of the Celtics and KG bought into his performance against Cleveland in the 2nd round (19 PPG, 7 RPG), the Big Ticket has looked a shell of his '08 self (11 PPG, 7RPG his last 7 games). As much as KG's desire and toughness bolstered the Celtics championship season, everyone seems to forget the guy was a pretty good player. His advantage over Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol was the big difference in the '08 Finals. Now, KG is getting outjumped, outrebounded, and most disturbingly, outoughed by the Lakers front line. If KG doesn't start holding his own, the C's don't have a chance.

(2) Maybe Rajon Rondo isn't the Greatest PG Alive.

-Many NBA experts were salivating over Rajon Rondo throughout the first 2.5 rounds of the playoffs. And why wouldn't they, his all-around dominance of the game, his hustle, his command of a team with 3 Hall of Famers, we were watching Rondo grow into a superstar before our very eyes. But, a funny thing happened on Rondo joining the Big 3 in Springfield (that's where the Basketball HoF is, FYI)...now, he's banged up. After all the hard fouls and falls he's taken, the toll of playing 41 minutes a game is catching up with the young PG. He, like Garnett, needs a big boost of something to get the Celtics back to their dominant ways.

(3) The Lakers Length Exploits the Celtics Greatest Faults

-As the great crew of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mark Jackson pointed out last night, the Celtics have had two weaknesses throughout the season, turnovers and rebounding. And after about 5 minutes, these problems were already rearing their ugly head because of the Lakers length. Rondo's ability to finish at the rim is taken away. When Bynum/Gasol/Odom are on the court, the Celtics can't compete with their size. And, as they found out last night, the Lakers aren't backing down this year, either. On the perimeter, Allen, Pierce, and Rondo are struggling against the defense of Artest, Kobe, and Shannon Brown. The Celtics are going to have to play much tougher and smarter at both ends than they did in Game 1 to compete.

(4) The Celtics Bench Isn't What it Was.

-Besides the Celtics toughness in the frontcourt, the biggest advantage Boston had back in '08 was their bench play...minus Sam Cassell, of course. They had James Posey, a long, tough defender who could also stretch the D from 3 point range. Now, they have Tony Allen, who isn't as good a defender or shooter and is an offensive liability if he isn't taking the ball to the rim, which he can't do against the Lakers front line.

In '08, they had a steady veteran presence in P.J. Brown who could rebound and compete with the Lakers on the inside along with Leon Powe. Now, they have Big Baby Davis, who I think could be blocked by Jeff Van Gundy, and the mercurial 'Sheed, who, might have more technical fouls this postseason than field goals. Add this to the loss of gunner Eddie House, the addition of fossil Michael Finley, who looked like he was playing in cement trying to stay in front of Shannon Brown.

And anybody expecting Nate Robinson to pull off another kryptonite performance in this series might be waiting for a while. In other words, the Celtics bench isn't good, and it doesn't have potential to get better.

(5) The Lakers Are Simply Better than in 2008, while the Celtics Aren't.

-While I'm not ready to pronounce Pau Gasol the 2nd best player in the league, there's no doubting the Spanish big man is not only better, but tougher than in '08. That Kobe Bryant fella is still as good as ever, and the addition of Ron Artest certainly won't help Paul Pierce's chances of repeating as Finals MVP. Nobody in the league does a better job of playing Pierce with a combination of length and strength. Meanwhile, the improvement of Rondo can't offset the aging of the Big 3 or the lack of bench play in the 2010 Celtics.

While the Celtics are definitely capable of bouncing back, it's going to be a tough ask. But, as someone once said, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion". And for a starting 5 who's never lost a playoff series, writing them off after just one game would be foolish. Still, beating this Laker team might be their greatest escape yet.

Can The Suns Really Beat The Lakers?

A week ago, the Western Conference Finals were 2-0. The Lakers had averaged 126 points in their home games. Everyone was proclaiming that we were in for the 9,000th Lakers-Celtics Finals in history. Kobe Bryant was the real MVP. And, the Phoenix Suns were defending about as well as the border patrol.

(Rimshot!)

Fast forward to today and the Suns have now tied the series at 2, Steve Nash has endeared himself to millions again by getting his nose broken, the Lakers haven't figured out the zone defense, and the Suns bench has come alive (scoring 54 points in Game 4), and now there is a chance that we might not get that Lakers-Celtics Finals.

So... can the Suns really beat the Lakers?

The Suns might just be wacky enough to beat the Lakers. Think about their bench unit that starred last night: Goran Dragic, Leandro Barbosa, Jared Dudley, Lou Amundson, and Channing Frye. These 5 guys that look more like a variety show cast beat the reigning world champs and Kobe Bryant?? Seriously? This hustling bunch of 3 point shooters, when they're on their game, are a dangerous unit because they are so unorthodox. 4 of them are legit threats from downtown, each one works hard defensively, and they share the ball and run effectively. There is one problem though... can they do it in LA? Oh, and they also badly need a nickname.

For the Suns to beat the Lakers, their bench has to play well in Staples Center. The Suns bench only averaged 30.5 pts in Games 1 and 2. They averaged 34.5 pts in Games 3 and 4. The bench shot 21/55 in Games 1 and 2 and 23/53 in Games 3 and 4. While those aren't huge statistical differences between the home and road performances, this is: -56 combined point differential in Games 1 and 2, but a +37 diff in Games 3 and 4. The bench started the 4th quarter last night with a 1 point lead and started the period with a 14-5 run to win the game.

The Suns have found a formula to beat the Lakers... but so did Oklahoma City. OKC played LA even after 4 games, lost Game 5 and then blew it down the stretch in 6. Phoenix needs to carry their energy and shotmaking ability (bench and starters) on the road, which will be much harder than in Arizona. For whatever reason, role/bench players play much better at home - it's a universal basketball fact.

The Lakers are unbeaten this postseason at home and that's why homecourt means so much in the NBA. The Lakers will have Games 5 & 7 at home where they have seemed nearly invincible. They play better defense at home, they move the ball better at home, and the role players step up in Staples. I'll be rooting for the Suns and their unique team, but I don't think their success can carry over and win either Game 5 or 7 on the road. It will be fun to watch, but even though the basketball world appears to be changing, the Suns will still set in the West.

NBA Playoff Pulse: NBA Playoffs So Far

After a week-long blogging sabbatical, I'm back to take a look at the NBA Playoffs so far with our Playoff Pulse. The Playoff Pulse is a regular look at the NBA and NHL Playoffs where we'll analyze the best performances, biggest winners and losers, and as always unique opinions about the big stories in Playoff Time. With one round in the books and the 2nd Round just getting underway, let's look at the Playoff Pulse of the Association.

1) Biggest Winner - Boston Celtics

-Through 7 games played... who would have thought that the aging, dilapidated, broken down Celtics would melt the Heat AND steal homecourt advantage from the Cavaliers. The Celtics resurgence has been nothing short of staggering. Suddenly, they look like the team that won the title 2 years ago instead of the coasting bunch of over the hill players we saw throughout the season. It's not so much that they "turned the switch on" but that they are finally healthy for the first time in more than a year. It's also that the team is relying more on the playmaking abilities of Rajon Rondo instead of hanging on to the Big 3. The Celtics now have a great chance of upsetting the Cavs (more on them in a minute) and going even farther.

2) Biggest Loser - The East... Again

-Another year... another year of great games and great drama out West, and an unremarkable first round in the East. I mean, come on, did Charlotte or Chicago even need to show up for the first round? Yes, Milwaukee put up a valiant fight, but that was awful basketball to watch at times against the Hawks... and we've seen that Atlanta's goal in R2 should be to just finish within 40 points of the Magic each game... and the Heat crumbled in spite of Dwyane Wade. Orlando awaits the winner of the Cavs and Celtics again while the rest of the Eastern seaboard waits for another team to just be competitive and interesting. This year there were 8 West teams that reached 50 wins and only 4 East teams. We keep hearing these things are cyclical and the East will rise again... but I'm wondering if that day will ever come.

3) Best Performance - Dwyane Wade Game 4 vs Boston

-Yes, the Heat were eliminated in the next game, but Wade's remarkable Game 4 performance has been the only transcendent performance in this year's playoffs so far. Wade scored a remarkable 46 points in 43 minutes, many against double and triple teams in the 2nd half and 4th quarter. The pictures of Wade talking to his flame-throwing hand was awesome. Miami fans have to wonder if it was his last great performance in a Heat jersey.

4) Best Game - Game 6: Lakers 95 Thunder 94

-This game is what playoff basketball is all about. The young challengers to the throne throwing everything they have at the team at the top. An insane home crowd that made the incredible atmosphere leap through the TV screen. Drama throughout the game. A spirited comeback. And then, a buzzer beating tip-in by Pau Gasol and an escape from the champs. This series (and Lebron's elbow) have defined the playoffs thus far and shows what's so great about playoff basketball. It also showed that the Lakers won't be giving up their title easily.

5) Biggest Surprise - The Cavs Find A New Way To Disappoint Cleveland

-Ok, maybe this shouldn't be a surprise.

In Ohio, the sky is falling. The Cavs have lost homecourt advantage to the C's. Lebron's elbow is the most talked about injury since Dwight Freeney's ankle. Mo Williams is choking in the clutch again. Shaq sucks. Role players are disappearing. And, Mike Brown still hasn't figured out how to coach his team properly. But, this year it is a surprise because we expected Lebron to have righted the ship, gotten his team focused for an entire playoff run, and that the Cavs wouldn't let this happen again with Lebron on the open market this summer. Wake up Cleveland, it is happening again. The role players need to step up... but so does Lebron James. If he really wants to be the best in the world and win a title, he needs to man up, forget this elbow thing, forget free agency, and forget fancy MVP ceremonies and go win a title.

6) Highlight Play - Russell Westbrook Posterizes Lamar Kardashian

-This isn't only a cool play and an awesome posterization, but it said something about the arrival of Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. Even with Kevin Durant struggling, the Thunder challenged the Lakers through 6 games and showed they belonged amongst the elites of the NBA. Westbrook also showed that he could step up and help Kevin Durant lead the Thunder to even greater heights...

7) Biggest Story - Home Court >>> Home Ice

-The biggest story throughout these playoffs on the hardwood and the ice has been the distinct advantage that homecourt offers in the NBA as opposed to the NHL. In the NBA, only two higher seeds were upset in the first round, and neither were surprises. Dallas lost to San Antonio like they usually do, and Denver without George Karl was beaten by Utah. Road teams were 11/45 in Round 1 in the NBA. That's a 24% winning percentage and keep in mind that includes a sweep by the Magic and wins in 5 and 6 games by multiple teams. Lower seeded teams only won 3 games on opponent's home floors.

Compare that to the NHL where road teams won an amazing 26/47 games in R1! That's 55% meaning you have a better chance of winning on the road than at home. Lower seeded teams won a remarkable 14 games on the road including Game 7 wins by Detroit over Phoenix and incredibly the 8th seeded Canadians winning in Washington, who had the best regular season record in the NHL. Could you have imagined the Bulls doing that in Cleveland? Of course not.

So, what does this boil down to? A few factors I believe...

1) Crowds have a much larger effect in the NBA on teams... and referees. Watch the 2nd quarter of Game 2 of the Cavs/Celtics and see how much help the refs were trying to give the Cavs or how much a great home crowd lifts teams. Whether it's a vast conspiracy or not, home teams in the NBA have a big advantage.

2) The NHL Playoffs are more dependent on current form, a la a hot goalie (like Montreal's Jarolslav Halak stonewalling the Caps and making 41 saves in Game 7 while Montreal managed 16 shots the entire game). Rarely can a player on an inferior team carry his group to victory in a 7 game series in the NBA when you're going against the Kobes and Lebrons of the world. In the NHL, the Ovechkins and Crosbys are on the ice for 1/3 of the game and have much less of the puck than Lebron or Kobe.

3) The elite NBA teams are just better. Parity in the NHL is much more prevalent than in the NBA where we have known since before the season started that the Lakers, Cavs, Celtics, Magic, and Spurs would be in the mix at the end.

So, it does make for an exciting and unpredictable Stanley Cup Playoffs... but also a more intense NBA Playoffs where each home game is so critical to keep or take homecourt advantage.

That does it for our Playoff Pulse. We'll be back tomorrow to check in on tonight's action! Bye for now...

Top 10 Stories of the Decade - #5 The Changing Face of the NBA

Our #5 Story of the Countdown is perhaps the most overlooked one of the decade. In the past 10 years, the NBA has come a long way. From the Malice in the Palace to the Redeem Team, it's been a roller-coaster ride for the Association. But with a wave of new, young stars and the reinvention of others, the NBA is finally moving in the right direction.

For several reasons, the NBA was akin to a ship lost at sea for much of the decade. At the beginning of the 2000's, the Lakers and Spurs began sowing the seeds of their dominance. Behind the dynamic duo of Shaq and Kobe, the Lakers won the first 3 titles of the decade. However, their success was fleeting. Neither could live with the other in complete harmony. Despite coach Phil Jackson's best efforts, Kobe and Shaq were destined to separate.

Meanwhile, San Antonio, led by the most unappreciated athlete/coach combo of the decade, Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich, became the quiet dynasty, winning 3 titles later in the decade. However, the Spurs could never capture the national conscience like Jordan's Bulls or the Shaq/Kobe Lakers. Their Finals appearances in 2003 and 2007 would be responsible for the two lowest-rated NBA Finals in history. The NBA also had an even bigger challenge than a championship team nobody wanted to watch.

The unequivocal face of the league, Michael Jordan, had ended his second retirement and joined the Washington Wizards in 2001. But, even though His Airness was back, the league was hurting to find its next great superstar. Vince Carter wowed with his Dunk Contest performance in 2000, but he could never take his game to the next level. Allen Iverson established himself as one of the league's toughest competitors, but his close association with the hip-hop generation of players and his checkered past didn't endear him to the NBA's marketing machine (not to mention one of our favorite soundbytes in 2002). Grant Hill was to be one of the stars of the decade, but his injured ankle caused him to play 47 games in 4 years after signing with Orlando (2000-2004). As Jordan's career finally wound down in 2003, the league was absent a reliable star.

The vacuum created by Jordan's retirement wouldn't be fulfilled by a new wave of stars immediately. Instead, the NBA would be thrust into two of the most dramatic controversies seen in sports. First, in July 2003, Kobe Bryant, three-time NBA Champion and the heir apparent to the Jordan throne, was arrested in Colorado and charged with sexual assault. Although Bryant's criminal charges were dismissed, Kobe had to succumb to a civil settlement and the loss of endorsements. Added to the personal embarrassment of a public apology and losing to the underdog Pistons in the next year's Finals, Kobe Bryant's image was at an all-time low. His "engineering" of Shaq's trade to Miami the next year in the summer of 2004 cemented Bryant as one of the league's villains, not as the face of the post-Jordan era.

As if things couldn't get any worse, the NBA reached an all-time low point on Nov. 19, 2004. At first, it seemed to be just a normal regular season game between bitter rivals, the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. However, late in the game Ron Artest and Ben Wallace started a scuffle between the two teams. Just as it looked like cooler heads were going to prevail, the madness began to unfold that would forever be known as Malice in the Palace.

Bill Walton certainly summed it up best, the lowest point in the NBA in 30 years. Children crying at your sporting events isn't exactly the best way to invite and grow fans. Suddenly, the NBA was at a crossroads. They had already been through the JailBlazers and the widening gap between the common fan and the new breed of NBA players, but never had an American professional league had to deal with such a debacle. Credit David Stern for ruling with an iron fist in the wake of the brawl. In total, 9 players were suspended 146 games, including Artest's suspension for the remainder of the season. Stern implemented further reforms after the brawl, including implementing a new dress code, which was seen as a racially-tinged backlash against the growing hip-hop influence on its players. Although not directly related, in 2005 Stern also put into place an age limit preventing high schoolers from making a direct jump to the pros. Although the age limit still isn't perfect, both of these reforms helped rehabilitate the image of the league.

However, the NBA still needed someone to lift the Association from the depths of despair. The NFL and college football had exploded in popularity, while the NBA seemed to lag behind. The worldwide appeal and prestige of the NBA game had even taken a hit with their first international loss in the 2002 World Championships and a shocking 6th place finish. This was followed by a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics, a first for a "Dream Team". But in the aftermath of all of these negatives, finally, a new crop of exciting, and marketable young stars began to take control of the league.

The 2003 NBA Draft will forever be remembered for giving the NBA a trio of fresh new faces which have carried the NBA back into mainstream acceptance. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony all started strong as rookies, and have grown into legit superstars and reliable ambassadors for the game of basketball. James especially has become the marketing face of the NBA and the hope of an entire city, Cleveland. Wade has won a championship himself and Anthony has become one of the game's top scorers. These three have been joined by other likeable young stars like Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Brandon Roy and others in raising the profile of the league. David Stern also wisely embraced an influx of international talent to grow the NBA globally better than any other American sports league, thanks in large part to players like Yao, Dirk, and Steve Nash (I know, I know, but technically Canada is an international market).

The culmination of the good will established by a new generation of post-Jordan stars was the 2008 Olympics. Instead of shunning the Olympic stage, these young athletes embraced the challenge of regaining Olympic glory and reestablishing the NBA game on the international stage. The "Redeem Team" did just that, capturing Olympic gold in Beijing.

In addition to success abroad, franchises like the Celtics and Lakers also have seen a revival, winning back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The 17th banner for the Celtics gave a first championship to the popular trio of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce. Even the Lakers latest championship has seemed to unofficially welcome Kobe Bryant back in to the circle of accepted NBA icons. In every way possible, the league has recovered from their poor image, international failures, and on-court controversy. Even the recent Tim Donaghy scandal has done little long-term damage to the sport, although the referee debate will continue into the next decade. Thanks to a bevy of likeable, marketable, talented young stars, led by King James, the NBA is finally on the way back. As we close the decade, the NBA is in the best place it's been in the post-Jordan era. And for once, its future looks even brighter than its present.

We'll be back with our Top 4 Stories of the Decade after the Christmas holiday as well as Part II of our Bowl Pick 'Em Extravaganza! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours from RSS!

Top 10 Games of the Decade-NBA: Game 4 2008 NBA Finals

Ironically, the next installment of our Top 10 Games of the Decade took place on the same day of the first round of the 2008 U.S. Open. While Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate were about to embark on the most dramatic golfing battle of the decade, the Celtics and Lakers were renewing the most storied rivalry in the NBA. What was to unfold that night would make Finals history, and cement the legacy of a new chapter in the Celtics/Lakers rivalry.

Who: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers

What: Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

When: June 12, 2008

How It All Unfolded: The 2008 NBA Finals was the culmination of a revival of one the NBA's two most storied franchises. At the beginning of the decade, the Lakers had won three titles behind the championship trio of Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. However, the two couldn't coexist and eventually Shaq was traded to Miami in 2004. After some bumps in the road with Kobe Bryant the unquestioned star of L.A., the Lakers were finally making the right moves in 2007. They'd drafted a promising young center in Andrew Bynum, acquired key cogs Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom, and fleeced the Memphis Grizzlies for All-Star Pau Gasol. They ran away with the Western Conference and cruised to the Finals for a record 29th time.

Another more dramatic revival was happening on the other side of the country in Boston. The Celtics had languished since the days of Bird, McHale, and Parish. Even worse, former Celtic Danny Ainge seemed to be making all the wrong moves as the team's GM. Temperamental star Paul Pierce seemed to be on his way out to a contender. But then, a wave of events took the Celtics from cellar-dwellar to contender. Trades for future Hall of Famers Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett gave Boston the most formidable Big 3 in the league. Even under the most intense pressure of their careers, the new look Celtics fought through two 7 game series (including an epic duel between Pierce and LeBron James in Game 7 of the 2nd round) and the Detroit Pistons to make the Finals for the first time since 1987.

Fans, media, everyone associated with the NBA was salivating at the revival of the league's greatest rivalry renewed. Magic and Bird saved the NBA in the 80's and the 2008 meeting between the two would be the first meeting of the two teams in the Finals since the glory years. Overall, it would be the 11th time the Celtics and Lakers would be meeting to crown a champion.

The drama started early in Game 1. The Lakers got off to an early lead, but behind Garnett and captain Paul Pierce, the Celtics hung close. Then, the unthinkable, Pierce went down with what looked to be a serious knee injury. Cue the heroic music!

That comeback by Pierce is either one of the inspiring moments in NBA history, or one of the most poorly-acted hoaxes, depending on where you live and who you were rooting for at the time. Nevertheless, on the heels of Pierce's outstanding all-around play, the Celtics took the first two games at home. Kobe Bryant responded in Game 3 back in L.A. to dominate down the stretch and bring the Lakers back to down 2-1. Game 4 would certainly be the game to shape the rest of the series. At home, the Lakers came out like gangbusters, opening a 21 point 1st quarter lead. The deficit for the Celtics would balloon to 24 points by the 3rd quarter. As play-by-play man Mike Breen said at the time, the Staples Center crowd was getting tired from all the standing ovations the crowd was giving the Lakers!

But, the Celtics would begin to chip away in the 3rd quarter. Sparked by their trademark tough defense, especially the stifling play of Paul Pierce on Kobe Bryant, the Celtics began to rally. After an emphatic dunk by P.J. Brown at the end of the 3rd, the Celtics were miraculously back to within 2 points. What followed was the most dramatic 4th quarter of the decade in the NBA. The Lakers did their best to keep the Celtics at bay, but the determination of Garnett and Pierce and clutch shots by Eddie House and James Posey gave the Celtics the lead. Ray Allen's acrobatic lay-in sealed the victory for the Celtics, and a 3-1 series lead. Boston would go on to win their 17th championship in six games over the Lakers. I'll let the highlights of this amazing game speak for itself (except for the insufferable Rick Kamla who unfortunately hosts this video).

Why We'll Remember It:

There are many reasons we'll remember this as the greatest NBA game of the 2000's. First, there isn't really a lot of competition. One contender might be Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Kings and the Lakers. But, that entire series has since been shrouded in controversy by disgraced former ref Tim Donaghy. The other contender, Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals featured a great individual performance by Allen Iverson, but lacks the same importance in a larger sense as the Lakers easily won the next 4 games.

More importantly, Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals had history on its side. The two most important franchises in NBA history were meeting to decide the championship. The Celtics and the Lakers, a rivalry responsible for the growth of the NBA in the 50's and 60's and the saving of the NBA in the 80's, would cement the complete revival of the NBA's post-Jordan era. With the emergence of stars like Bryant, Pierce, KG, James, Wade, Duncan, and teams like the Celtics and Lakers, the future of the NBA finally seemed stable.

Above all else though, Game 4 provided the biggest comeback in Finals history. No team had ever been down 21 points after the 1st quarter of a Finals game and won. Without the comeback, the Celtics may have gone on to lose the series and any chance at reclaiming Celtic Pride (no, not the ridiculous movie with Dan Akroyd and the guy from Home Alone). The raising of banner 17 officially brought back back arguably the league's most important franchise to the top of the NBA for the first time over 20 years.

Further, the legacies of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and especially Finals MVP Paul Pierce were firmly established with the all-time Celtics greats and the all-time greats of the game. Of course, things didn't turn out all bad for the Lakers, who would win the title in 2009. Still, no one looking back years from now will remember the Lakers losing Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals, they'll remember the Celtics winning it. This game, more than any other of the decade, exemplified what can make amazing happen in the NBA.

Others Considered -

2001 Finals Game 1: Philly 107 Lakers 101

2002 West Finals Game 4: Lakers 100 Kings 99

2007 East Finals Game 5: Cavs 109 Pistons 107 2 OTw

Top 10 Teams of the Decade

The Decade Series is back! This week our list focuses on the Top 10 Teams of the Decade. These aren't single-season teams, but rather the best franchises of the past 10 years. These teams have a "Commitment to Excellence" that Al Davis would be proud of, if he's still awake. To make such a prestigious list you have to have won multiple championships and be the epitome of greatness in the sports world. These franchises are simply the best.

10) Pittsburgh Steelers - Winners of SB XL and XLIII, 5 Division Titles, 6 Playoff Appearances

With first Bill Cowher and now Mike Tomlin at the helm, this is the model of a stable, successful franchise. Behind the QB play of Ben Roethlisberger and heroics from Willie Parker and Santonio Holmes, they won 2 titles this decade. Something only surpassed by a team later in the countdown. Throughout the decade, they have consistently been at the top of the NFL and have one of the nation's largest fanbases. In a league of supposed parity, the Steelers are always good.

9) San Antonio Spurs - 2003, 2005, 2007 NBA Champions, 10 Playoff Appearances

If there is one team on our list that can have a beef, it's San Antonio. 3 titles in a decade is quite the accomplishment, not to mention making the playoffs every single year in the 00's. Led by the unflappable Big Fundamental Tim Duncan and Coach Pop, the Spurs are the epitome of a consistent winner. But, if there is one thing holding back the Spurs it is there utter lack of interest, pizazz, or excitement which makes them the most boring team in the countdown.

8) #48 Jimmie Johnson - 2006, 2007, 2008 Nascar Champion, 2006 Daytona 500 Winner, 2006, 2008, 2009 Brickyard 400 Winner

Wait a minute, a racecar driver... that's not a team! Oh contraire mon frere as the French say. Jimmie Johnson's success is in large part due to the fantastic team around him. As has been documented here before, car owner Rick Hendrick is perhaps the best owner in all of sports, and Crew Chief Chad Knaus has been with Jimmie through every step of his likely 4 straight titles. The #48 team never puts a foot wrong seemingly, and the entire crew deserves credit.

7) Ferrari F1 - 6 Drivers Championships (2000-2004, 2007) and 7 Constructors Titles (previous and 2008)

Wait, 2 racing teams! But of course! In the world of racing, only the legendary red cars of Ferrari can match NASCAR's #48 team. Their dominance in the early part of the decade led by Michael Schumacher is one of the most impressive runs in sport across the world. They then showed in 2007 and 2008 that they weren't totally dependent on Schumi's excellence by winning a Team title in 2008 and Kimi Raikkonen's triumph in 2007.

6) Boston Red Sox - 2004 and 2007 World Series Titles, 6 Playoff Appearances

The Red Sox make a ceremonial appearance on the countdown due to their 2 World Series triumphs in 2004 and 2007. The '04 title win that broke the curse of that one guy is enough to put them on the list, but the comeback against the Yanks will be talked about forever. Even though the Yankees might have won more division titles this decade, the Sox won most when it counts - October. But, if the Yanks go on and win the 2009 World Series, consider this Sox/Yanks decision reversed!

5) Florida Gators - 2oo6 and 2007 NCAA Bball Titles, 2006 and 2008 BCS titles

In the college realm, Florida has been Titletown USA. Their 2006 Football and Basketball titles is an unprecedented accomplishment that might not be seen again in major college athletics. Stars such as Noah, Brewer, Tebow, and Harvin have led the Gators on the field while Billy Donovan (the Magic flirtation aside) and Urban Meyer have provided outstanding leadership for each program. Florida football might even add to the trophy cabinet in January, would that count for this decade or the next though.... ummm... next?

4) UConn Basketball - 5 NCAA Championships (2000, '02-'04, 2009) 39-0 in 2002 and 2009

The UConn Women's basketball team is the best. The program that Geno Auriemma built in Storrs won their eternal rivalry with Tennessee this decade. They had 3 more NCAA titles and also an incredible feat of 2 perfect 39-0 seasons 7 years apart! The only reason UConn isn't at the top is the total lack of depth in Women's Bball. Every year there might only be 6-7 teams capable of winning a title and one of them is UConn. I guess that's not Geno's fault though...

3) Manchester United - 12 Total Trophies including 5 EPL Titles, 1 Champions League, and 1 Club World Cup

We go back to the world stage for our #3 team and the most accomplished soccer club in the world. Glory, Glory Man United indeed. Their trophy rack has increased greatly this decade with 5 EPL titles (now in a tie with Liverpool for the most ever) and their unique international double of winning the UEFA Champions League and the Club World Cup. Throughout the decade, Fergie's troops have been the most consistent soccer power throughout the world, and they show no signs of slowing down.

2) Los Angeles Lakers - 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2009 NBA Champions, 2004 and 2008 Finals Appearance

If only Kobe and Shaq were kept together! They would be a solid #1 on our list, but the breakup of the LA dynasty meant they only won 4 titles this decade, yea, only 4. The 2004 team beating the Pistons would have easily put the Lakers at #1, but that was instead the end of an era. Kobe, Shaq, and Phil broke up and the Lakers were never the same... at least until 2008. Surprisingly, Phil came back as Kobe was the lone wolf in leading LA to a 2008 Finals appearance and a 2009 victory.

1) New England Patriots - Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX Champions, 16-0 regular season in 2007.

The team of the decade. However, their image has gone from that of underdog heroes in 2001 (remember the team introduction at the Super Bowl?) to obnoxious, cheating villains with guys like Belichick and Brady that you love to hate (don't forget Spygate either). Nevertheless, their acheivements this decade are unmatched in sports. They are the dynasty in a dynasty-proof league. Plus, they are only the second team in league history to have an undefeated regular season, don't ask about what happened in the Super Bowl that year though. With their unmatched success, this team has been the flagship bearer in the world of sports throughout the 2000's.

That's our list, what's yours? Don't forget to leave us your feedback (you can be critical, or positive... don't forget you can actually agree!) on the Top 10 Teams of the Decade. Who's #1? Who belongs and who doesn't? Who would you move up and down the list or on and off the list? The decade series will return with our extended countdown and profiles of the Top 10 Games of the Decade. Till then, it's bye for now!

2009 NBA Preview-Who Will Win It All?/21 Random Predictions

Finally, the 2009 NBA Season starts tonight. But, the question remains...who's going to win it all? Which of the 5 major contenders made the right moves to get to the promised land? Also, as always with our previews, 21 random predictions for the upcoming season that you'll only find at RSS!

NBA Championship Predictions

Y2: For me, there are only 4 true contenders. The Magic, while making a good impression last year, took a step back by getting rid of Hedo Turkoglu for Vince Carter. Despite Dwight Howard's emerging superstardom, Orlando's out as a contender. So that leaves us with two teams in each conference. In the West, you've got to go with the Lakers over the Spurs. While Ron Artest is a powderkeg waiting to explode, they still have the most talented, deepest team in the league. They will be able to withstand the annual Andrew Bynum injury and outlast the Spurs to reach the NBA Finals. In the East, both the Cavs and Celtics will be desperate to make it back to the NBA Finals. The Celtics know their championship window is closing, while the Cavs know they have to make it to appease King James and finally deliver a title to Cleveland. It will be an epic battle, but the Celtics will be able to better adjust to their offseason improvements and will be led by KG back to the Finals. So in the Finals, it will be a near repeat of two years ago...the C's defense will smother Kobe and will outtough the Lakers to win the title in 6 games. PICK-Celtics over Lakers in 6

Y1: I couldn't agree with Yoder2 more, there are 4 contenders: Cleveland, Boston, LA, and San Antonio. Despite their great preseason, I don't see Orlando being able to duplicate last year's success with a dose of vinsanity. However... I'm going in a different direction. In the West, yes, Ron Artest is a powderkeg... and Richard Jefferson is plainly a better addition for San Antonio. Duncan and Ginobili have to have one good run left in them. If those two stay healthy, a roster of Duncan, Manu, Parker, R-Jeff, Finley, Mason is good enough to battle LA. The difference for SAS though will be Pitt rookie DaJuan Blair. He'll eat Gasol and Bynum for lunch just like he did Hasheem Thabeet at UConn. Out East, it will be an epic battle, but the Cavs will lean on their past experience and last year's disappointment to get past the C's. Mo Williams will up his game in June and Shaq will be the inside presence necessary to get through the playoffs. In the Finals, LBJ gets his revenge on the Spurs as he sweeps the MVP, Finals MVP, and the championship. PICK-Cavs over Spurs in 7

21 Random Predictions for the Upcoming Season

(1) The injury sustained by Blake Griffin is not the start of some Clipper Curse, but it will be enough to derail the Clips' faint playoff hopes.

(2) Griffin's injuries will be enough to lose his sure Rookie of the Year Award to a dark horse candidate, like Tyreke Evans in Sacremento.

(3) As much as I love Charles Barkley, he will once again say or do something stupid to get himself removed from TNT for a brief period of time.

(4) A full out battle will ensue between Mark Cuban and Russian Mark Cuban for the title of Most Ridiculous Ways an Owner can Spend Their Money, as long as Russian Mark Cuban doesn't start hosting his own talk radio show.

(5) For one week in January, NBA starting 5's will have one spot taken by a WNBA player, as decreed by President Obama, under scrutiny for his own, "all-male" pickup games.

(6) The Coach of the Year will NOT be Mike Brown of the Cavs, it will be his assistant, LeBron James.

(7) Due to the recent success of Shaq Vs., Shaquille O'Neal will start at QB for the Browns regular season finale...and still complete more passes than Derek Anderson.

(8) The persistent campaign to get Bill Simmons elected as GM of an NBA team will lead to a shocking announcement, the GM of the new WNBA Tulsa Shock...the Sports Guy!

(9) Pau Gasol, seeking to impress new tough-guy teammate Ron Artest, will set the record for awkward chest-thumping and unintimidating screeching during the regular season.

(10) Greg Oden will play more games this season than Blake Griffin, and still not get as many rebounds.

(11) After a slow start, Scott Skiles will be the first head coach fired during the season, and be thankful for Milwaukee putting him out of his misery.

(12) Kobe Bryant, motivated by being placed below LeBron James in our Athletes of the Decade list, will beat out James and Brandon Roy for NBA MVP.

(13) Joe Dumars reign as the smartest GM in the league will end after his team

fails to even make the playoffs.

(14) By the end of the All-Star Break, fans, players, and coaches alike will be begging for the replacement referees to come back. This will be especially true after veteran official Dick Bavetta falls asleep during a late December Grizzlies-T'Wolves game.

(15) Expect an epic trade deadline as the elite teams bolster their ammo and the bad teams, especially in big markets, get ready for 2010.

(16) Expect to hear "2010" more often this season than "2009." Especially about that one guy, what's his name again?

(17) The highlight of the Knicks' regular season will be a Catholic priest storming the court to intervene when Mike D'Anoni is ejected from a game. So, a priest, a rabbi, and Spike Lee walk into a bar...

(18) Much like the NFL, the gap between the elite and the awful teams will never seem larger.

(19) Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy will continue to be the best A team for announcing in any sport...of course, Joe Buck is half of two of their contenders, so maybe it's not that big an achievement.

(20) At least one of the Top 5 teams (Celtics, Cavs, Magic, Lakers, Spurs), will not make the Conference Finals...tough prediction, right?c v

(21) This will be the most thrilling regular season since the days of Bird, Magic, and Jordan...put it in the book, just don't expect Bird's Pacers or Jordan's Bobcats to contribute much.

That does it for our 3 part NBA Preview of the 2009 season. Make sure you keep coming back to RSS throughout the season for our unique view of the Association. Also, tune in tomorrow as we return with a World Series Preview, and the return of the Decade Series right around the corner. Until then, it's bye for now!

Athletes Of The Decade - #7 Kobe Bryant

Our #7 Athlete of the Decade is sure to cause a stir. Some might think he belongs wayyy higher on the list, some might think he should be disqualified completely. Some think he's vastly overrated, some think he's the greatest of all time. Whatever the case may be, Kobe Bryant always brings up a variety of opinions.

Resume:

-4 Time NBA Champion (2000-2002, 2009)

-2008 NBA MVP

-2009 Finals MVP

-11 Time All-Star

-7 Time 1st Team All-NBA

-3 Time All-Star Game MVP

-2008 Olympic Gold Medalist

The Facts:

-His 81 Points vs Toronto (1/22/06) are 2nd most all time for a single game.

-12 3 pointers tied for most in a single game (1/7/03).

-Most points in Madison Square Garden single game (61 pts 2/2/09)

-Youngest player to start an ASG and NBA game

-Scored 60 or more points 5 times

Why He's Here:

-Come on, obviously Kobe Bryant belongs on this list. He's been the face of the post-Jordan NBA, he's won 4 titles for the Lakers, he is a global superstar and icon. Kobe's vaulted himself into the rare echelon of the greatest NBA players of all-time. Not since Jordan has a player been able to take over a game and show that rare clutch ability. When Kobe gets that look in his eye (ridiculous teethy glare above aside), you know that something is going down. There isn't a sight in sports like Kobe going nuts. Remember when Jordan's Wizards visited Staples? He scored 55! How about his 61 at MSG? Or his 81 point effort! What about the countless clutch and game winning shots in the playoffs. In this decade, only Kobe has the ability to add that extra aura to a game. MVPs, All-Star Games, titles, Kobe has done it all. Check out all 81 of his points in his historic performance against the Raptors.

Lasting Impact:

-So, with all of these accomplishments... why isn't Kobe higher? His lasting impact tells the story of why Kobe Bryant is only #7 on our Athletes of the Decade countdown. His legacy isn't exactly pristine when compared to some of the others on our list. The giant elephant in the room when looking at Kobe's impact is his Colorado rape trial.

Was he convicted? No. But is the lasting stain on Kobe's legacy permanent? Yes. In our society, when a man of Kobe Bryant's stature is accused of rape and goes through a trial in front of a huge media circus and admits to adultery at a dramatic press conference... it's not exactly going away. Yes, charges were eventually dropped, and he has done work since then to repair his public image. But, there will always be that question mark by Kobe's name. Right or wrong, that's the truth.

In addition, he's not exactly known as a great teammate. Kobe was the one that broke up the early 2000s Lakers. Kobe shoved Shaq and Phil out of town. Kobe was the one who was the ballhog. Kobe got booed at the All-Star Game in his hometown. Kobe was the one who went on a media tour ridiculously demanding a trade. Kobe was the one who had Spike Lee make a documentary about him which was a flop. Over time, these things add up.

So is Kobe Bryant one of the greatest athletes of this or any decade? Yes. But will Kobe be remembered more for his amazing on-court ability or for the courtroom allegations and the petulance he showed off-court? Will we remember him as the man who won championships and made clutch shots for the Redeem Team, or the man who blew up a dynasty, foolishly demanded a trade, and was involved in one of the biggest scandals of the decade. You'll have to be the judge of that.

Check back with RSS as we'll be continuing our Athletes of the Decade Countdown. Let's just say our #6 Athlete is best known for our #7 Athlete's number 8. Hmmm.